Effects of legacy mining on mercury concentrations in conifer needles and mushrooms in northern Palatinate, Germany.

Due to integrated pollution prevention and control measures and the reduced burning of coal, air concentrations of mercury (Hg) are currently levelling off. In the future, however, evasion from land surfaces will probably reverse this trend. Reasons are the rising temperatures and the loss of forest cover caused by calamities, droughts, storms and wildfires.